FREMANTLE CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

 

 

A Fremantle individual and a group received the WA Premier’s Citizen of the Year 2017 award from Mayor Brad Pettitt today at the City of Fremantle’s citizenship ceremony at Fremantle Oval.

Fremantle Citizen of the Year Simone Ryan pioneered the successful Imagined Futures initiative which aims to address the complex needs of at-risk young people as they transition into high school. She is also Co-chair of the South West Metropolitan Partnership Forum’s Vulnerable and at Risk Youth Working Group and a youth counsellor with Palmerston Association.

Active Citizenship award winner Street Friends Pop-Up Street Shop is a free weekly volunteer-run service that provides disadvantaged people in the Fremantle community with healthy food options, toiletries, clothes, blankets and friendly company.

The award was received by Ruth Marshall who started the group.

Roel Loopers

 

FAMILY TRAGEDY AFFECTS MANY IN FREMANTLE

The stabbing death of Fremantle mother Joan Hendry on Monday night in Stevens Street, White Gum Valley is reverberating throughout the Fremantle community because it involves highly-regarded Freo personalities. Ms Hendry was allegedly stabbed by her 19 year old son Gabe Lang after she had tried to get help for her son’s mental health problems at the Alma Street clinic and Emergency Department of Fremantle Hospital.

Joan Hendry was the partner of REPLANTS owner Bruce Abbott and the former partner of Fibonacci Centre‘s Robby Lang with whom she had her children Gabe and Rosie. Bruce and Rosie were also hurt in the attack and went to hospital with stab wounds to the hands. Gabe Lang also stabbed himself and is in hospital, according to media reports. Forensic police was still at the house this morning and some flowers had been left on the footpath.

There was a silent wake at REPLANTS on Wray Avenue last night.

My heart goes out to all involved. The incident yet again shows that mental health problems can be higly unpredictable and that there needs to be after-hour care available for those who are concerned about relatives or friends.

Roel Loopers